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Figures released last week for the year ended July showed net migration was 41,000, close to the record of 42,500 in 2003.

The gains were mainly from India, China and the United Kingdom, but there had also been a significant drop in people leaving for Australia.

Prime Minister John Key joked last week that he probably knew the names of those who crossed the Tasman in June.

Mr Peters will argue that it made "no economic or social sense" to keep bringing new migrants when there are unemployed New Zealanders.

"Of course new record levels of immigration are going to increase house prices...this is especially true in Auckland, where about half of all new migrants choose to live," he said.

Mr Peters said New Zealand First will push to pare back immigration "to those we need, not those who need us".

The Internet-Mana movement wants people from the Pacific Island nations to be allowed to enter New Zealand on the same basis as Australians.

Ms Logie, immigration spokeswoman for the Greens, will argue for the need to have a proper population policy.

"Given the vast number of complex issues, such as increased warfare and increasing climate pressures...there is real possibility that immigration flows can change drastically very quickly," said Ms Logie.

The debate will be the highlight at the association's 25th anniversary conference at Eden Park.

At the meeting, Dr Ganesh Nana, chief economist at Business and Economic Research Limited, will also be releasing a paper on immigration's impact on the New Zealand Economy.